The Houston Police Department training academy team shows their appreciation of cute animals at the 2014 Swing for SIRE golf tournament in Katy.

GOLFERS SWING FOR SIRE IN KATY

To raise $18,000 in honor of the veterans riding at SIRE,128 golfers braved bitter winds at the Willow Fork Club in November. Teams came from Demontrond, AimPoint, Rudy’s Country Store and BBQ, and more. Champion Restoration of Katy topped all teams to win first place and a complimentary round of golf from Willow Fork.

Though the weather was cold, golfers still enjoyed beverage service provided by SIRE’s miniature horses, who walked the course with their saddle bags full of drinks. The mini’s were a big hit with residents, who came out of their houses for souvenir photos. Also on course was a pit stop provided by Katy’s own No Label brewery. More complimentary beverages were provided by Starbucks or underwritten by Silver Eagle distributors.

After a chilly morning, participants listened intently to Air Force veteran SIRE rider Derrick Perkins as he explained the benefits of therapeutic riding. Not only did SIRE bring Derrick increased balance and strength, he said, it also rekindled his competitive spirit. A Sugar Land resident, Derrick currently holds a national ranking as a para-equestrian and is training with hopes to represent the United States in the next Paralympics.

“The Turkey Dash has grown to be more than a race. It’s become a holiday tradition that brings our community together to celebrate the season and generate funds for a worthy cause,” said Brain Haines, District Vice President of the YMCA. “One hundred percent of proceeds from our event go to help provide Y programs and services to Katy area families. This year, due to an increase in both sponsorships and participants, I am proud to announce that the Turkey Dash was able to raise a record amount of over $210,000.”

In addition to the running events, participants enjoyed a large post-race area which included many local businesses who provided refreshments. There was also a Kids Zone complete with a rock wall, moonwalks, face painting and games. For official age category race results, visit ymcaturkeydash.org. To learn more about sponsorships for next year’s event, contact Beth Strand at 281-392-5055.

KATY NATIVE SERVES WITH NAVY MARITIME PATROL SQUADRON

A 1997 Katy High School graduate and Katy native is serving with Patrol Squadron Sixteen (VP-16), also known as the “War Eagles.” Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Ford is an aviation structural mechanic (equipment) with VP-16, a Jacksonville-based squadron that operates the Navy’s newly-designed maritime patrol aircraft, the P-8A Poseidon.

Each aircraft has an aircrew of nine, is nearly 130 feet long, may weigh up to 188,200 lbs. and can travel over 560 miles per hour and nearly 1,380 miles on a tank of gas. As an aviation structural mechanic (equipment), Ford’s job duties are to maintain safety belts, shoulder harnesses and integrated flight harnesses in aircraft, inertia reels, seat and canopy ejection systems, gaseous and liquid oxygen systems, life raft ejection systems, fire extinguishing systems and other safety equipment.

“I work on air conditioning systems, and pressurizations systems on the P-8,” said Ford.

The Navy’s replacement platform for the P-3C, the P-8A Poseidon, is designed to secure the Navy’s future in long-range maritime patrol capability, while transforming how the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance force will man, train, operate and deploy.

“It is more work than I expected being this new, but it is overall mission capabilities are outstanding,” said Ford. Ford also said he is proud of the work he is doing as part of the squadron’s 260-member team, helping to protect America on the world’s oceans.